led, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up last
close up, tracked leaders 3rd, led soon after 3 out, hit next and headed, weakened last
blundered 1st, in touch in rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next
tracked leaders until 3rd, close up, hampered 3 out, led next, clear with winner when not fluent last, headed near finish
in touch in rear, headway after 4 out, joined leader next, ridden next, weakened last
in touch, headway and hampered 3 out, chased leader after next, clear and upside leader last, asserted close home
tracked leader, upsides leader when hit 3 out and fell
in touch, dropped to rear after 4th, struggling next, pulled up 3 out
Mountain Fighter is the latest of the ex-Godolphin charges to move to the hurdling game with John Ferguson and the former Saeed bin Suroor inmate is not being asked to start his new discipline at an auspicious level. His 571-day absence is of little concern as exemplified by the recent performances of certain stable companions. However, CREATEUR put up a very pleasing effort on his first run for Tim Vaughan after moving from France and can build on that promise here after also running a series of good races in his homeland. All Together, also ex-French, boasts a similar profile and is respected after a solid debut for Johnny Farrelly but Western Way has yet to regain his previous level of form after returning from an enforced absence.
Nifty Kier 8-1 (8-0) Held up towards rear, switched outside and headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Baileys En Premier (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol (flat).
Sunny Bank 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 4th, well behind from next, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Bordoni (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb '13, 11 ran.
Western Way (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In rear, pushed along 5th, mistake 5 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 46l behind Angus Glens (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
All Together (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway before 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression on winner, went 2nd briefly flat, one pace, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Benissimo (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Createur (IRE) 4-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd and wandered right approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Perspicace (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mountain Fighter 3-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden to press winner from over 1f out, edged left and just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Shimba Hills (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Nov '13 (flat).
Ley Lady Grey 12-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th, not fluent and stumbled 6th, lost 2nd 3 out, chased clear leading pair, ridden and struggling between last 2, weakened into 5th when blundered last, 5th of 8, 30l behind Taylor (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gd.
Satin Waters 80-1 (10-3) Always behind, weakened from 4th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Countersign (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Karam Albaari (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind High Secret (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol (flat).
